INTEG 2 - Chapter 5-8

Organized Crime Investigation

Definition of Organized Crime    

  • Organized Crime: An organized criminal group shall mean a structured group of three or more persons, existing for a period of time and acting in concert with the aim of committing one or more serious crimes or offences to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit (UN, Palermo Italy, 2000).

  • U.S. Definition: All illegal activities engaged in by members of criminal syndicates operative throughout the United States and by known associates and confederates of such members (U.S Department of Justice).

Structure of Organized Groups

  • For an organized group to work, it usually has at least the following roles:

    1. Enforcer: Responsible for making arrangements for the killing, injuring, or carrying out tasks physically, economically, or psychologically against members or non-members.

    2. Corrupter: Corrupts, bribes, intimidates, threatens, or negotiates with public officials, law enforcement officers, or anyone who might help in obtaining security and immunity from possible arrest, prosecution, and punishments.

    3. Corruptee: Public officials, law enforcement officers, or non-members who can help the organization.

Scale of Organized Crime

Mafia

  • The term "Mafia" describes several criminal organizations worldwide, notably the Sicilian Mafia known as Cosa Nostra.

  • The term derives from Sicilian-Arabic roots meaning to protect, act as a guardian, defend, preserve, or strengthen.

Omertà

  • Omertà: A code of silence and secrecy forbidding Mafiosi from betraying their comrades.

    • Emphasizes:

      • Ideal of manliness

      • Non-cooperation with authorities

      • Self-control in adversity

      • Vendetta (blood washes blood)

      • Distrust in government and church

Russian Organized Crime

  • Known as Vory v Zakone or “thieves with a code of honor.”

Organized Crime in Asia
China

  1. Gangs (Triad): Involved in black market activities, burglaries, thefts, hijackings, and extortions.

  2. Criminal Syndicates: Engage in sophisticated crimes like prostitution, human trafficking, and organized drug trafficking, particularly of heroin.

  • Dragon Syndicates: Another term for Chinese Triads popularized by Martin Booth's study.

Hong Kong

  • Triads such as Wo Sing Wo and 14K operate, engaging in drug trafficking and corruption.

  • The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is active in controlling illicit activities of these triads.

Japan

  • Yakuza (8-9-3 or Boryokudan): The most influential organized crime group in Japan, involved in corporate extraction, exploitation of women, and gambling dens.

Taiwan

  • Organized crime has ties to the Chinese Triads and Hong Kong, especially the United Bamboo Gang, involved in drug trafficking and prostitution.

Singapore

  • Known for the lowest cases of organized crime due to stringent laws and strong government enforcement.

Thailand

  • Notorious for its sex industry, supplying about one million women to other Asian countries.

Vietnam

  • The Nam Cam Gang is noted for drug trafficking and acts as a major transit point for drugs in Southeast Asia.

Philippines

  • Known as a haven for the sex industry, with many women trafficked abroad as entertainers but ending up as prostitutes.

Transnational Crimes

  1. Trafficking in Persons

  2. Terrorism

  3. Drug Trafficking

  4. Cybercrime

  5. Money Laundering

  6. Environmental Crime

  7. Economic Crime

  8. Intellectual Property Theft

  9. Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships

  10. Illicit Trade (smuggling) of Small Arms and Light Weapons

Cyber Crime in the Philippines

  • LOVE BUG Virus: Known as the ILOVEYOU virus, created by a 23-year-old student intending to steal passwords.

Identity Theft

  • Definition: The criminal act of assuming a person’s name, address, social security number, and date of birth for fraud.

Phishing

  • Sending fraudulent emails or website pop-ups to entice victims to disclose sensitive financial information.

Terrorism

  • Definition: Derived from the Latin word "terrere" meaning to frighten, it involves the use or threatened use of force to achieve political change (Brian Jenkins).

  • FBI Definition: The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population towards political or social objectives.

  • Al Qaeda: Founded by Osama bin Laden in 1980, responsible for significant terrorist attacks, including the 2001 World Trade Center destruction.

Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)

  • Aliases: Al-Harakat Al-Islamiyyah, Bearer of the Sword, Father of the Swordsman.

  • Formed from discontent with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) during peace talks.

Root Causes of Terrorism

  1. Political Ideologicalism

  2. Religious Fanaticism

  3. Jihad: Refers to the holy war waged by Islamic followers against others.

Ideology

  • Definition: A body of ideas affecting social needs and aspirations, impacting political and economic systems.

Types of Bombers

  1. Amateur: Experiments with little planning.

  2. Professional: Constructs bombs for profit.

  3. Psychopathic: Acts unpredictably without reason.

  4. Suicidal: A common method in recent Islamic terrorist attacks.

Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. 9372)

  • Approved March 6, 2007, and effective May 15, 2007, targeting terrorism.

Money Laundering

  • Defined as the process of converting illegal "dirty" money into legal "clean" money through stages:
    a. Placement: Introduction of illegal funds into the financial system.
    b. Layering: Concealing the source of funds through complex transactions.
    c. Integration: Reintroducing the laundered money into the economy as legitimate funds.

  • Money laundering is the world’s third largest industry by value.

References

  • Further readings and videos on organized crime, types of crime, and money laundering processes.

Fire Technology and Arson Investigation

Elements of Fire

  • Fire: A rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process, producing heat and light.

  • Triangle of Fire: Requires Fuel (any combustible material), Oxygen (21% atmospheric composition), and Heat (source of ignition).

Heat Transfer Methods

  1. Conduction: Transfer of heat within solids or between adjoining solids.

  2. Convection: Heat transfer via liquids or gases.

  3. Radiation: Transfer through electromagnetic waves.

Dangerous Behaviors of Fire

  • Backdraft: Violent ignition of accumulated flammable vapors when oxygen is suddenly introduced.

  • Flashover: Sudden combustion of accumulated gases when the flash point is reached, resulting in intense fires.

  • Biteback: A condition where attempts to extinguish a fire may cause it to strengthen.

  • Flashfire: Explosion caused by ignition of dust particles.

Classifications of Fire

  1. Based on Cause: Natural, Accidental, Intentional (Incendiary), Undetermined.

  2. Based on Burning Fuel: Classes A, B, C, D, and E addressing different fuel types and their corresponding extinguishing agents.

Extinguishing Agents and Methods

  • Different classes have specific agents (e.g. water, foam) and specific extinguishing methods (e.g. cooling, smothering, separation).

Definitions Related to Fire and Arson

  1. Arson: The willful and malicious burning of structures.

  2. Actual Burning: Must occur for a crime to be classified as arson.

  3. Attempted Arson: Takes place if steps are taken but the crime is not completed due to intervention.

  4. Frustrated Arson: Fire was set but extinguished before damage occurred.

  5. Consummated Arson: Fire does cause damage despite later extinguishment.

Basis of Liability in Arson

  • Considerations include building characteristics, location, extent of damage, and occupancy status.

Charring Patterns

  • Examination of charring can reveal fire characteristics and damage levels.

Pyromania

  • An uncontrollable impulse to start fires without motivation, often associated with various psychological factors.

Fire Code of the Philippines: Republic Act No. 9514

  • Approved December 19, 2008, establishing legal standards for fire safety.

Fingerprint Identification Techniques

Fingerprint Basics

  • Fingerprint: An impression from the ridges on the inside of the last joint of the finger or thumb, visible through various means.

  • Dactyloscopy: Study of fingerprints for identification.

  • Dactylography: Scientific study of fingerprints for identification purification and verification.

  • Friction Skin: Hairless skin types found on the hands and feet.

Types and Patterns of Fingerprints

  • 1. Arch (5%) - Pattern resembling waves.

  • 2. Loop (60%) - Patterns that recurve back.

  • 3. Whorl (35%) - Circular patterns.

Classification and Techniques

  1. Ridge Counting: Counting the ridges crossing an imaginary line between delta and core in loops.

  2. Ridge Tracing: Tracing ridges between two points for analysis.

Fingerprint Destruction Methods

  • Historical methods of attempting to destroy fingerprints through various means such as corrosive materials.

Post Tests

  • Questions and exercises helping cement knowledge of organized crime, terrorism, fire technology, and fingerprint identification methodologies.

Police Photography

Definition of Forensic Photography

  • Art and science of reproducing images through lights using cameras to reproduce crime scene evidence.

Essentials of Photography

  1. Light: Electromagnetic energy fundamental to photography.

  2. Camera: A light-tight device for exposing sensitized materials to light.

  3. Lens: Gathers and concentrates light onto the film.

  4. Sensitized Material: Films and papers that react chemically to light exposure.

  5. Chemical Processing: Converts the latent image into a visible photograph.

Types of Views in Photography

  • Allows capturing different levels of detail in crime scenes:

    • General View: Overall perspective of the scene.

    • Medium View: Dividing the scene into sections.

    • Close-Up View: Showing detailed evidence.

    • Extreme Close-Up: Laboratory level detail often using magnification methods.

Types of Cameras in Forensics

  1. View Finder Type: Basic camera model.

  2. Single Lens Reflex Camera: Best suited for police work.

  3. Twin Lens Reflex Camera: Features dual lenses for different purposes.

  4. View or Press Type: Larger and more sophisticated used usually for extensive filming.

Conclusion

  • Understanding the diverse aspects of criminology, including organized crime, arson investigation, and fingerprint analysis, is essential for effective detection, investigation, and prevention strategies.

  • Continuous education and training are crucial for maintaining proficiency in these areas.

Video Links and References

  • Refer to provided video links and documents for additional insights and detailed explanations on topics discussed.